Set against the backdrop of the 2026 Quynh Nhai Culture, Sports and Tourism Week, the traditional boat racing festival lit up the waters at the Pa Uon Bridge regatta site on the morning of February 26.

Bathed in warm spring sunshine and reached after a journey across winding mountain passes, Cang Coi hamlet in Muong Lan commune unfolds in quiet serenity. The traditional stilt houses of 79 Kho Mu households sit cradled by swathes of untouched primary forest. Here, the Kho Mu community continues its quiet yet determined efforts to preserve and promote the cultural heritage passed down through generations.

Beneath wooden houses perched along the cloud-kissed slopes of the mountainous areas of Son La province, the sound of the Mong people’s flute has, for generations, served as a thread binding together the souls of the mountains, the forests, and the local people. Amid the fast-paced rhythm of the digital age when electronic sounds increasingly overshadow traditional instruments, there are still young people who, with passion and dedication, steadfastly keep the Mong flute resonating.

Bo Xanh hamlet, Muong Gion commune, is home to 212 households with nearly 1,000 residents, the majority of whom are Black Thai people. The Black Thai community has preserved many distinctive cultural features, such as women continuing to wear traditional costumes and practicing the traditional hair-bunning ritual after marriage.

A traditional market fair themed ‘Colours of Highland Spring’ opened at the ancient Muong Va tower, Muong Va hamlet, Sop Cop commune on January 25 morning.

The People’s Committee of Xim Vang commune on January 23 organised the Mong Ethnic Culture Festival 2026, drawing large crowds of local residents and visitors.

As custodians of the nation’s cultural heritage, folk artisans have long harboured a deep desire to preserve and safeguard traditional values rooted in the history and origins of their communities. Drawing on years of experience and an abiding love for their ethnic cultures, they continue to devote themselves tirelessly to passing these traditions on to today’s younger generations.

Immediately after the opening of the Huoi Mot commune Ethnic Culture and Sports Festival 2026, cultural performances and traditional costume displays took place.

As part of the first Mong Traditional Lunar New Year Festival 2026, held by the Chieng Sai commune People’s Committee on January 15, a range of cultural activities and sports competitions took place, drawing large crowds of local residents and visitors.

The Chieng Sai commune People’s Committee held the first Mong Traditional New Year Festival 2026 on January 15.

As one of the ethnic communities that have lived for generations in Son La, the Muong people contribute unique colours to the diverse cultural mosaic of the province’s 12 ethnic groups. Through many generations of transmission and continuity, the traditional culture of the Muong ethnic group has continued to be preserved and promoted by the community, safeguarding its core values amid the impacts of modern life.

Located in Thao Nguyen ward, Ta Loong residential area is blessed with striking natural scenery and a rich cultural legacy of the Dao ethnic community. Amid the pressures of urbanisation and deeper integration, local residents have remained committed to safeguarding traditional values, treating cultural heritage as a treasured asset that enriches spiritual life while laying the foundation for sustainable tourism growth.

Khau Pum hamlet, Muong Chien commune, has nearly 100 households with more than 500 residents, most of whom are Mong people who have long lived closely together at the foot of the high Khau Pum mountain. The women in the hamlet actively participate in social activities, are dynamic in economic development, and work to build happy families.

Chieng Hoa commune organised the First Ethnic Culture Festival and Highland Market 2025 on December 19-20, attracting a large number of people from highland hamlets and hamlets along the Da River, and visitors.

The People’s Committee of Ta Xua commune on December 19 organised the Mong Ethnic Culture Day 2025, attracting a large number of local residents and visitors.